By: TUNDE BOLAJI MINNA.
Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and other related offenses (ICPC) to have a corrupt free Hajj operations in the State.
This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary, of the Board, Sheikh Muhammad Awwal Aliyu when he received on a courtesy visit on the Resident Commissioner, ICPC Niger State, Mr Kennedy Ebhotemey and his team at the Board’s Office.
The Executive Secretary noted that since his assumption of office in 2023 he has brought initiatives that has put to end all fraudulent activities within the Board and hajj operations.
According to him, ICPC is a major stakeholder for the Board and working closely together will ensure corrupt free Hajj operations and zero pilgrims’ fraudulent activities.
He said since his assumption no member of Staff has been involved in any kind of fraudulent activities except for the issue of third parties who used to disguised as agents of the Board promising intending pilgrims of getting them slot(s) for less than the official Hajj fare as announced by the government thereby defrauding unsuspecting pilgrims.
While appreciating the resident Commissioner ICPC, the Executive Secretary, said the Board will not hesitate to report any crime related issues and will immediately Gazette ICPC as a major stakeholder of the Board.
Earlier, the State resident Commissioner ICPC, Mr Kennedy Ebhotemey decried the attitude of some prominent figures who fraudulently collected monies from innocent individuals with the name of securing Hajj slots for them and not fulfilling their obligations and will not return the money.
“We are handling a similar case presently”.
Mr Kenedy Ebhotemey emphasized that as part of their mandate, the ICPC will help the Board in enlightening the public, using enforcement to prevent the prevalence of any such activities and bring sanity into the system.
The interface provided opportunities for questions, answers and clarifications on the activities from both the ICPC and the Board to ensure stronger alliance.
The high point of the meeting was presentation of the Board souvenir containing Date to the ICPC Boss and in turn the ICPC presented the Board with the calendar and other translated documents on the Commission activities.